2025:Program/Commons Photowalk: Capturing the Spirit of Nairobi

Session title: Commons Photowalk: Capturing the Spirit of Nairobi

Session type: Meet-up, exhibition space, social event

Track: Community Engagement

Language: en

Join the Commons Photographers User Group for a Commons Photowalk through Nairobi, where we will collectively capture and contribute high-quality images to Wikimedia Commons. This interactive session offers a chance to explore the city, enhance your photography skills, and enrich free knowledge by documenting local culture, architecture, and public spaces. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just getting started, this photowalk is a great opportunity to collaborate, learn, and make an impact by sharing freely licensed images with the world.

Description

The Commons Photowalk, organized by the Commons Photographers User Group, is an engaging, hands-on session aimed at promoting open knowledge through photography. Participants will explore selected areas of Nairobi, capturing images of monuments, landmarks, street life, nature, and cultural elements. These images will be uploaded to Wikimedia Commons under free licenses, making them available for use in Wikipedia articles and other Wikimedia projects.

What to Expect:

📸 Guided Walk: Led by experienced Commons photographers, attendees will learn practical tips on composition, lighting, and framing.

🌐 Contribution to Free Knowledge: Participants will upload their photos to Wikimedia Commons, contributing to the visual documentation of Nairobi.

🤝 Networking & Collaboration: A chance to meet and collaborate with fellow Wikimedians, share photography techniques, and exchange ideas.

Why Join?

Promote local representation on Wikimedia projects by adding high-quality images from Nairobi.

Enhance your photography skills while contributing to a global knowledge platform.

Foster community engagement through a creative and collaborative activity.

How does your session relate to the event theme, Wikimania@20 – Inclusivity. Impact. Sustainability?

Inclusivity: The Commons Photowalk welcomes participants of all skill levels to contribute freely licensed images of Nairobi to Wikimedia Commons, promoting diverse representation.

Impact:

The session will enrich Wikimedia projects with high-quality images of under-documented locations, improving visual content on Wikipedia and beyond.

Sustainability: By creating a lasting collection of freely licensed images, the session supports knowledge sustainability, providing reusable visual resources for years to come.

What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?

Everyone can participate in this session

Speakers

• Suyash

I am Suyash Dwivedi, a passionate Wikimedian and advocate for free knowledge, with over a decade of experience in the Wikimedia movement. I have made more than 1.9 lakh edits across various Wikimedia projects, including Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, and Wiktionary.

I currently serve as Vice-Chair of the Affiliations Committee (AffCom) at the Wikimedia Foundation, where I support and guide Wikimedia affiliates to help them grow and collaborate effectively. Additionally, I am the Chair of the CommonsPhotographers User Group, where I promote quality contributions and foster collaboration among photographers on Wikimedia Commons.

Throughout my involvement in the Wikimedia movement, I have organized and participated in various outreach programs, workshops, and conferences, both locally and internationally. I've been part of several Wiki Loves competitions and served as a jury member for multiple editions of Wiki Loves Fashion and Wiki Loves Earth.

I am also deeply interested in embedded systems, and I actively mentor and facilitate workshops on using platforms like Raspberry Pi to promote access to free knowledge. My work on Wikimedia Commons focuses on encouraging diversity and inclusivity in the content we share.

I’ve had the privilege of presenting at prominent Wikimedia conferences such as the Wikimedia Technology Summit and WikiConference India, and I remain committed to growing and improving Wikimedia projects globally.

• aanchal

Hello! I'm Aanchal Patel, a B.Tech student in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science from India. As a board member of Wiki Club SATI, I actively promote Wikimedia knowledge and create collaborative spaces for students. I organize workshops and events that empower individuals to contribute to the Wikimedia movement and improve their digital skills.

I’m passionate about travel, technology, photography, and food. Exploring new cultures, gadgets, and cuisines inspires me, and I love sharing my experiences with others. Feel free to engage with me on my user talk page!